UK rail fares set to rise 1.1 per cent in the next year - the smallest rise since 2010

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The increase applies to unregulated fares (Source: Getty)

Rail fares in the UK will rise by an average of 1.1 per cent next year according to the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) - the smallest rise since 2010.

The rail industry body said the change, which will come into effect on 2 January, will only apply to unregulated fares, such as off-peak leisure tickets.

“We know that nobody likes to pay more to travel by train, especially to get to work, and at 1.1 per cent this is the smallest average increase in fares for six years,” said RDG chief executive Paul Plummer.

For every pound sent on rail fares, 97 pence will be spent on trains, staff and other running costs, after the sharp rise in passenger numbers over the last 20 years resulted in higher operating costs.

This allows government to focus its funding on building a bigger, better network when the railway is becoming increasingly important at driving economic growth, underpinning jobs, and connecting friends and families.

As an industry, we are working closer together to deliver better stations, more trains and improved services, and to get more out of every pound we spend.